Assessment of Nursing Knowledge on Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcer Following Specialized Educational Intervention

Introduction: The appearance of bedsores essentially reflects the quality of nursing care. The increased incidence of pressure ulcers, the severe socio-economic impacts that are caused, require the application of appropriate and based on evidence nursing care. The targeted nursing care occurs substantially through the upgrading of the nursing skills and the implementation of international guidelines and protocols. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of specific educational intervention in order to increase the knowledge of nurses who work at the Intensive Care Units (ICU), on the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Method: The sample consisted by 69 nurses working at Intensive Care Units from three hospitals in Athens. Data collection took place during the period from 05/10/2016 to 11/10/2016, by filling out a special questionnaire designed by the researcher. The questionnaire included demographic and professional information and questions relating to preventive measures for pressure sores and their treatment. The study consisted of three phases. In the first phase knowledge of nurses was evaluated (1st measurement), in the second phase, the educational intervention was applied and in the third phase the knowledge of nurses was re-evaluated with the same questionnaire (2nd measurement). Results: The average age of the sample was 36.1 years (SD±6,5 years) and 79.7% of participants were women while 42.0% had 6 to 10 years of working experience. The mean knowledge score before education was 54.5, while after the training it was 76.4 (p<0.001). Additionally, there was not a statistically significant correlation between demographics, such as age (p=0.550), gender (p=0.399), educational level (p=0.484), previous experience (p=0.574) and knowledge about pressure ulcers. Nurses who did not take part in similar training program in the past, after the intervention, had an 8.43 points higher increase to their knowledge score of the 1st measurement, compared with those who had taken part in similar training program in the past. Also, they had an 8.52 points higher increase to their knowledge score compared to participants who had been trained in pressure ulcers issues in the past. Conclusion: The study showed that there was lack of knowledge about the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. The educational tool that had been used helped to increase the level of knowledge for an important and specific clinical issue. Adopting similar methods of education and intervention can help clinical nurses to achieve the best based on evidence care. The guidelines can be used in everyday clinical practice but often require the training of nurses and not just the hint of a directive.